Heat-sealable marking labels

Abstract

In producing permanent markings on flexible articles such as textiles the characters or symbols are overlaid by a layer of clear lacquer of the same configuration as the symbols or characters, or slightly larger in all directions. A transfer may be used which is applied under heat and pressure the clear lacquer is bonded to the surface with the character or symbol exposed but also bonded in position. The characters or symbols as well as the clear lacquer are formed from a heat curable resin system capable of rapidly curing in situ on the article to form an inert and insoluble marking.

We claim: 
     
       1. A heat transfer for permanently marking flexible textile products comprising a temporary support having release properties, a plurality of individual marking characters printed on said temporary support, a coating of clear heat-curable resin superimposed on each of said marking characters individually, said coating being substantially coextensive with the edges of each of said marking characters, the printing medium of said marking characters and the clear layer each comprising a theremoplastic cross-linking resin system capable of being cured by heat and pressure to form an inert and wear-resistant marking on the surface of the article to be marked and said printing medium including a pigment. 
     
     
       2. A heat transfer according to claim 1, wherein the resin system consists of a soluble polyamide or an acrylic resin, and a cross-linking agent containing alkoxy alkyl groups. 
     
     
       3. A heat transfer according to claim 2, wherein the resin system consists of a methoxy methylated nylon, a weak organic acid curing agent and said cross-linking agent containing alkoxy alkyl groups. 
     
     
       4. A heat transfer according to claim 2, wherein the resin system consists of a soluble copolyamide, a weak organic acid curing agent and a cross-linking agent containing methoxy methyl groups. 
     
     
       5. A heat transfer according to claim 4, wherein the resin system comprises an acrylic resin in the form of a solution or dispersion, a weak organic acid or acid-yielding compound and a cross-linking agent. 
     
     
       6. A heat traansfer for permanently marking flexible textile articles comprising: a. a temporary support having release properties,   b. an informative or decorative marking printed on said temporary support, said marking comprising a plurality of individual characters,   c. a separate clear layer coating on each of said individual characters, each said coating being substantially coextensive with the edges of each of said characters and not forming a continuous layer over the entire area of said marking,   d. the printing medium of said informative or decorative marking and said clear layer each comprising a thermoplastic cross-linking resin system capable of being cured by heat and pressure to form an inert and wear-resistant marking on the surface of the article to be marked and said printing medium including a pigment,   e. said cross-linking resin system having a long storage life at ambient temperature and under the influence of heat and pressure, said system being capable of bonding to a textile article and, during said bonding, cross-linking rapidly in situ to a wash, dry-clean and wear-resistant form.   
     
     
       7. A heat transfer according to claim 6 wherein the resin system comprises a soluble polyamide or an acrylic resin, and a cross-linking agent containing alkoxy alkyl groups. 
     
     
       8. A heat transfer according to claim 7, wherein the resin system consists of a methoxy methylated nylon, a weak organic acid curing agent and said cross-linking agent containing alkoxy alkyl groups. 
     
     
       9. A heat transfer according to claim 7, wherein the resin system consists of a soluble copolyamide, a weak organic acid curing agent and a cross-linking agent containing methoxy methyl groups. 
     
     
       10. A heat transfer according to claim 9, wherein the resin system comprises an acrylic resin in the form of a solution or dispersion, a weak organic acid or acid-yielding compound and a cross-linking agent.